Washington and Lee men’s baseball team has caught fire in recent weeks, as they have compiled a seven game winning streak. With the help of a deep pitching staff, the Generals are 10–5 overall. They’ve scored 38 runs in their last five games.

The team swept the Hampden-Sydney Tigers in ther most recent doubleheader on Mar. 11, with a 6–0 shutout win in Game 1 from Tom Concklin, ‘17, and a wild 9–8 walkoff win in 12 innings in Game 2.

The men defeated Buena Vista’s Southern Virginia University in a shutout on Thursday, March 9 with a score of 3–0. This game was originally scheduled for March 1, but weather-related issues have shown to be a struggle for the Generals this season. This, however, did not phase them for the game.

Five pitchers came to the mound on Thursday to clinch the win.

Tyler Murphy, ’18, started the game and struck out three batters. He allowed two hits in two innings. Next on the mound was David Van Geluwe, ’18, who struck out one batter in his two innings. The next two pitchers, Jackson Thigpen, ’20, and Andrew Earvolino, ’19, continued to hold SVU to zero runs. Brian Morgan, ’18, closed the game with three scoreless innings, striking out four of the nine batters he faced and registering

his first save of the 2017 season. The Generals also had hot bats early in the game, scoring all three

of their runs in the first inning. Kyle Ruedisili, ’18, started the

inning with a single. After being injured throughout

pre-season and through the beginning of the spring, Ruedisili has come back with a will to win.

“The athletic training staff we have here is awesome and they do a great job, especially the baseball team’s trainer, Katie,” Ruedisili said. “She helped me get back on my feet quickly. All the work we put in over the off-season in the weight room also helped me be strong enough to play once I got healthy.”

Back at the plate, Chadwick Feeley, ’19, was hit by a pitch in the leg with one out to put runners on first and second. Ryan Weston, ’17, followed up with a fielder’s choice, forcing Feeley out at second, but allowing Ruedisili to advance to third. Weston then stole second to put two runners in scoring position with two outs. Ryan Monson, ’20, came to the plate next with a clutch single, allowing Ruedisili and Weston to score.

After Monson stole second base, Paton singled through the right side, allowing Monson to come home, making the score 3-0, where it remained the rest of the game.

With this game starts Ruedisili’s commitment to doing his best for the good of the team.

“This year I’m really hoping to play up to my potential and be a more consistent player,” he said. “I’d like to see my hard work turn into results that are going to help the team in the long run.”

So far, he is batting .318 games, with a .444 on-base percentage,15 runs scored, six runs batted in and a home run. His home run helped lead the Generals to a 7-3 victory over Franklin & Marshall on February 26.

Ruedisili said the team is fired up for

ODAC play, which began Saturday, March 11 against Hampden Sydney.

The Generals stomped the Hampden-Sydney Tigers in the first game of the Saturday double header 60. Tommy Concklin, ’17, pitched all nine innings for W&L, allowing just five hits and no runs, and striking out five batters while walking zero. Of his 102 pitches thrown, 7-3 were strikes.

Runs were scored by Feeley, Matt Wasson, ’17, Monson, Paton, Jonny Swenson ’17, and a homerun by Weston.

A twelfth inning run by Ruedisili ended the second game, which ran over four hours. Carson McKoon, ’20, took the win for the Generals, striking out five of the eight batters he faced and allowing no hits or runs in the final two innings of the game.

Game two, which ended 9-8, took an army of pitchers. Kevin McHugh, ’19, started the game, pitching four innings and allowing four runs and striking out three batters. Danny Devereux, ’19, allowed four runs and struck out four batters. Kenneth Hartzfeld, ’20, took over, allowing just one hit and no runs. Tom Kellogg, ’20, allowed one hit and struck out one batter before McKoon took over to win the game for the Generals.

The Generals baseball team is working hard and working together in pursuit of their goals of being the best they can be.

“Team chemistry is through the roof these days, which gives us extra momentum on the diamond,” Ruedisili said.

The Generals take to the field again March 15 to play Averett at home, whom they split a double header with to kick off the season. ODAC play resumes March 18 when they will play Virginia Wesleyan at home.